Lantern

ABSTRACT

A lantern comprised of discrete side panels removably interconnected with each other and removably coupled to a base and roof are disclosed. Two of the side panels are each coupled to the roof and base. The remaining side panels are coupled only to the first-mentioned side panels.

United States Patent inventor Carl Wellholer Glenside, Pa. Appl. No. 774,749 Filed Nov. 12, 1968 Patented Sept. 7, 1971 Assignee Walter Kldde 8: Co., Inc. Clllton, NJ.

LANTERN 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 240/1 1.2 R, 240/1 1.4 R, 240/25 Int. Cl F211 7/00 Field of Search 240/1 1.2,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Crossley Kozioi Huber, Jr.....

Kelley Ricei Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard M. Sheer Attorney-Seidel and Gonda ABSTRACT: A lantern comprised of discrete side panels removably interconnected with each other and removably coupled to a base and roof are disclosed. Two of the side panels are each coupled to the roof and base. The remaining side panels are coupled only to the first-mentioned side panels. V v

PATENTEDSEP 7197: 3603784 MVF/VIOP.

CA R L WE LLHOFER WZM LANTERN The present invention is directed to a lantern and a-method of making the same. The lantern is constructed in a manner whereby a first set of side panels are removably coupled to a base and a roof. A second set of side panels are coupled to the first set of side panels. The second set of side panels are not connected to the roof or base. The entire lantern is maintained in assembled condition using only one bolt and no screws.

Lanterns in accordance with the present invention are capable of being made inexpensively and assembled rapidly. The structural interrelationship of the components of the lantern permit rapid disassembly and maintenance on the fixture.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a novel lantern and method of assembling same.

It is, another object of the present invention to provide a novel lantern having a first set of oppositely disposed panels removably coupled to a base and roof with a second set of side panels removably coupled to the first set of side panels.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lantern structurally interrelated in a manner so as to require only one bolt and no screws to maintain the same in an assembled relationship.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel method for assembling lanterns.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For. the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the lantern of the present invention in partial assembled condition.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through one side panel and roof to show the only bolt used in maintaining the lantern assembled.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view through one side panel and a portion of the roof to show the interconnection between the same.

FIG. '5 is a sectional view through a portion of the base of one side panel to show the interconnection between the same.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a lantern in accordance with the present invention designated generally as Thelantem 10 includes a base 12 having sides 14, 16, 18 and 20 interconnected with each other and having depending ornamentation at their corners.

The sides of the base are connected to arcuate truncated bottom panels22 which extend to a rectangular bottom wall 24. Wall 24 is provided with an axially disposed hole 26 through which electrical wires and mounting structure for the lamp or a gas burning nozzle may be disposed. The intersection of adjacent bottom panels 22 is defined by grooves 28.

Sides 16 and 20 of the base 12 areeach provided with an outwardly extending projection 30 having an elongated slot 32 therethrough. The slot 32 extends generally parallel to the sides 16 and 20. The entire base 12 may be cast of aluminum, bronze, brass, etc. in one piece.

A first set of side panels 34 and 36 are provided. The side panels 34 and 36 are identical except as will be pointed out hereinafter. Hence, corresponding primed numerals are provided on one of these panels for the structural features thereof. Side panel 34 includes a cast metal frame 40 having a pane of glass 38 supported thereby. Each of frames 40 and 40 are provided with a downwardly and inwardly extending tongue 44, adapted to extend through the slot 32 on the respective sides 16 and 20, respectively, of the base 12.

Limit stops 46 and 46' are provided on the frames 40 and 40', respectively, for overlying the upper surface of the sides 16 and 20 of the base 12. A ledge 48 is provided adjacent the upper edge of the frame 40. No ledge is provided on the frame 40 corresponding to ledge 48. Each of the frames-40 and 40 are provided with ornamentation 42 and 42', respectively, along their upper edges. Integral guides 50 and 52 are provided adjacent to and spaced from angled edge 58 along the vertically extending side portion of frame 40'. Along the other vertically extending side portion of frame 40, there are provided corresponding guides 54 and 56 parallel to but spaced from the angled edge 60. Corresponding guides and angled edges are provided along the inner surface of the frame 40.

A second set of side panels having frames, 62 an 64 are provided. The second set of side panels are shown in difierent stages of assembly. Each of theframes 62 and 64 are constructed in a manner so as to support a pane of glass and have ornamentation at their upper edge corresponding to ornamen tation '42. Each of frames 62 and 64 are provided with a ledge 66 adjacent the upper end thereof. The ledges 66 are adapted to be in the same plane as the ledge 48 and cooperate therewith to facilitate support of a roof. Each of frames 62 and 64 is provided with a limit stop 68 adapted to overlie one of the sides of the base 12 in the assembled position of the side panels so that the ledges 48 and 66 will be in the same plane.

There is provided a roof designated generally as 70. The roof 70 is provided with a cross section corresponding generally to the cross section of the cage defined by the side panels. Hence, roof 70 at its lower periphery is provided with a rectangular surface 72 adapted to be supported by the ledges 48 and 66. Roof 70 curves upwardly and inwardly from the surface 72 and then merges into a truncated cone 74 having ornamentation 76 at the top thereof.

At the same elevation of the surface 72, the roof 70 is provided with a tongue 78 having a tip 80 at its terminal end. The tongue 78 is adapted to extend through the slot 82 in the ornamentation 42'. The lower edge of slot 82 coincides with the upper surface on ledge 48. The relationship of tongue 78 and slot 82 facilitates pivoting the roof 70.

The ornamentation 42 on frame 40 is provided with a slot 84 through which a threaded bolt 86 is adapted to extend. Directly opposite the tongue 78, the roof is provided with a flat portion having a threaded hole 88 adapted to receive the bolt 86. See FIG. 3.

The lantern 10 is assembled as follows:

A base 12 is placed on any supporting surface such as a table. The first set of side panels 34 and 36 are releasably interconnected with the base by inserting the tongues 44 into the slots 32. Such insertion is accomplished one at a time by tilting the panels so as to insert the tongue and straightening the panels so as to be upright. Thereafter, the second set of said panels is placed in position.

To place the side panel having frame 62 in position, it is held at an elevation above the side panels 34 and 36 aligned with guide slots on each of said side panels. Frame 66 is slit downwardly into the channel defined by angled edges on the frames 40 and 40 and the mating guides such as guides 50 and 52, until the limit stop 68 contacts the upper surface of side 18 on the base 12. Frame 62 is not interconnected with the base 12. Frame 62 is likewise slid downwardly through the guide channel on the opposite side of the lantern and defined by angled edges and guides on the side panels 34 and 36.

Thereafter, the roof 70 is held in a tilted position so that tongue 78 may extend through slot 82. The roof is tilted while the tongue is entering the slot and rests on the ledges 48 and 66. Thereafter, the bolt 86 is extended through slot 84 and threaded into the hole 88. In this simple manner, the lantern is completely assembled and maintained in an assembled relationship with only one bolt and no screws. Disassembly may be accomplished in the reverse manner.

It will be noted that the second set of side panels comprised of frames 62 and 64 are not interconnected with the roof or the base. Also, it will be noted that the frames 62 and 64 are clamped between the roof and base. By using aluminum castings for all of the base, frames and roof, manufacturing and assembly of the lantern is substantially simplified.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

It is claimed:

1. A lantern comprising a cage defined by first and second sets of said panels, a base, the first set of panels being removably connected adjacent their lower end to the base, said second set of panels being slidably received in a channel on the panels of said first set, an inwardly extending ledge on the inner surface of the panels of the second set, a roof supported on said ledges, one side of said roof being removably interconnected with one panel of said first set, and a threaded member coupling the other panel of said first set to said roof.

2. A lantern in accordance with claim 1 wherein the panels of said second set rest on a surface of said base, the first set of panels being the only panels removably interconnected with said base, said cage being rectangular with the panels of said first set being generally perpendicular to the panels of the second set, and said roof being supported in part by a ledge on one panel of said first set.

3. A lantern in accordance with claim 1 wherein said channels are defined by an angled edge on the panels of the first set and a pair of spaced projections on the panels of the first set parallel to its adjacent angled edge.

4. A lantern in accordance with claim 1 wherein said roof is interconnected with said one panel of said first set by means of a tongue and slot arrangement, said first set of panels being removably connected to said base by means of a tongue and slot arrangement.

5. A lantern in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base and panels are cast aluminum, and transparent windows supported by said panels.

6. A lantern comprising a cage defined by first and second sets of side panels, a base, the first set of panels being removably connected adjacent their lower end to the base, said second set of panels being slidably received in a channel on the panels of said first set, a ledge on the inner surface of said panels of the second set, a roof supported on said ledges, one side of said roof being interconnected with one panel of said first set by means of a tongue on the roof and a slot on said one panel, and a threaded member coupling the other panel of said first set to said roof.

7. A lantern comprising a cage defined by first and second sets of side panels, a base, the first set of panels being removably connected adjacent their lower end to the base by means of tongue on the panels of said first set adapted to enter elongated slots on opposite sides of said base, said second set of panels being slidably received in a channel on the panels of said first set, a ledge on the inner surface of said panels of the second set, a roof supported on said ledges, one side of said roof being interconnected with one panel of said first set, and a bolt coupling the other panel of said first set to said roof. 

1. A lantern comprising a cage defined by first and second sets of said panels, a base, the first set of panels being removably connected adjacent their lower end to the base, said second set of panels being slidably received in a channel on the panels of said first set, an inwardly extending ledge on the inner surface of the panels of the second set, a roof supported on said ledges, one side of said roof being removably interconnected with one panel of said first set, and a threaded member coupling the other panel of said first set to said roof.
 2. A lantern in accordance with claim 1 wherein the panels of said second set rest on a surface of said base, the first set of panels being the only panels removably interconnected with said base, said cage being rectangular with the panels of said first set being generally perpendicular to the panels of the second set, and said roof being supported in part by a ledge on one panel of said first set.
 3. A lantern in accordance with claim 1 wherein said channels are defined by an angled edge on the panels of the first set and a pair of spaced projections on the panels of the first set parallel to its adjacent angled edge.
 4. A lantern in accordance with claim 1 wherein said roof is interconnected with said one panel of said first set by means of a tongue and slot arrangement, said first set of panels being removably connected to said base by means of a tongue and slot arrangement.
 5. A lantern in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base and panels are cast aluminum, and transparent windows supported by said panels.
 6. A lantern comprising a cage defined by first and second sets of side panels, a base, the first set of panels being removably connected adjacent their lower end to the base, said second set of panels being slidably received in a channel on the panels of said first set, a ledge on the inner surface of said panels of the second set, a roof supported on said ledges, one side of said roof being interconnected with one panel of said first set by means of a tongue on the roof and a slot on said one panel, and a threaded member coupling the other panel of said first set to said roof.
 7. A lantern comprising a cage defined by first and second sets of side panels, a base, the first set of panels being removably connected adjacent their lower end to the base by means of tongue on the panels of said first set adapted to enter elongated slots on opposite sides of said base, said second set of panels being slidably received in a channel on the panels of said first set, a ledge on the inner surface of said panels of the second set, a roof supported on said ledges, one side of said roof being interconnected with one panel of said first set, and a bolt coupling the other panel of said first set to said roof. 